Russell Moore said of this book: “Every Christian should read this book.” He’s absolutely right. Kevin DeYoung has written a tremendous book dealing with a very timely and important topic. The first part of the book looks at the Scriptural passages dealing with homosexuality. In the second part, objections are answered. As Christians, we need to be able to think through the issue biblically and clearly, and then be able to articulate it to the world. I’ve never been disappointed with what DeYoung has written, and this book is no exception. Toole lege!

This morning I had the privilege of preaching on John 7:14-24. Here is a summary of my sermon in one sentence: Following Jesus involves not judging according to appearance and judging with based on a right standard.

You’ll notice that I took down the previous “Sermon in a Sentence” post. When I search for images to go along with what I’ve written, I try to be as careful as I can about the origin of the image. Well, I wasn’t as careful as I should have been the image depicting Jesus teaching people. It came from a source I don’t trust or recommend (the Mormons) and portrays an event and period in the life of Jesus that did not happen (coming to America and ministering to native Americans). Please accept my apologies for not paying close enough attention and posting something potentially misleading. Kris Ritton deserves a huge tip of the hat for pointing it out. Thanks, Kris!

Comments from J.C. Ryle that didn’t make it into my sermon last Sunday.

The theme of John 7:1-13 is the question “Who is Jesus Christ?” Jesus’ biological brothers didn’t yet believe that He was the Messiah, the Son of God, and they offered Him some unsolicited “career advice” that reeked of the world. One of the things Jesus said to them in response, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil” (7:7).

These words reveal one of those secret principles which influence men in their treatment of Christ. They help to explain that deadly enmity with which many during the Lord’s earthly ministry regarded Him and His Gospel. It was not so much the high doctrines which He preached, as the high standard of practice which He proclaimed, which gave offence. It was not even His claim to be received the Messiah which men disliked so much, as His witness against the wickedness of their lives. In short, they could have tolerated His opinions if He would only have spared their sins.

The principle, we may be sure, is one of universal application. It is at work now just as much as it was eighteen hundred years ago. The real cause of many people’s dislike to the Gospel is the holiness of living which it demands. Teach abstract doctrines only, and few will find any fault. Denounce the fashionable sins of the day, and call on men to repent and walk consistently with God, and thousands at once will be offended. The true reason why many profess to be infidels, and abuse Christianity, is the witness that Christianity bears against their own bad lives. Like Ahab, they hate it, ‘because it does not prophesy good concerning them, but evil’ (1 Kings 22:8).”

Greg Koukl, through his organization Stand To Reason and radio program, has been a long-distance teacher of mine for many years. He exemplifies clear-thinking Christianity. Many of us back away from conversations with others about the Lord and Christianity because we’re not sure how to answer the questions people may have – we’re afraid we’ll botch it. Koukl doesn’t give a list of answers, but what he does give are tactics we can all use as we converse with others. In other words, he provides a big-picture game plan we can follow. The “Columbo” tactic Koukl develops can be used in any conversation, and is a way of thinking through any issue. In addition, Koukl presents a number of flawed arguments that can be recognized in others and avoided ourselves. This is an excellent book that could be studied by groups as well as individuals. Tolle lege!

This morning, I had the privilege of preaching on John 7:1-13. Here is a summary of my sermon in one sentence: We must not answer the question “Who is Jesus Christ?” with open hostility, according tot he world’s way of thinking and acting, or with confusion, but rather by falling on our knees and worshiping Him ans Lord and God.

This morning I had the privilege of preaching on John 6:60-71. The following is a summary of my sermon in one sentence: Staying faithful to Jesus involves being a real disciple (not a false one), realizing the foolishness and futility of leaving Him, and persevering.